› added 13 years ago

295

TIL that Robin Williams was the first person to make Christopher Reeve laugh after his tragic horseback accident by disguising himself as a crazy russian doctor and sneaking into the hospital room

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via reddit.com

69nVw TIL of "Helicopter String Quartet" by Karlheinz Stockhausen that uses 4 helicopters as instruments.
8avQ8 TIL To produce a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of pure cocaine requires about a ton of fresh coca leaf
9YlGm TIL that IPA (India Pale Ale) beer was invented because in the 1700s, it took a long time to ship beer from England to India that it would spoil in transit. So brewers increased the hops and alcohol content making it last the trip, but also gave it that distinct bitter taste.
6EMYw TIL there was a war called 'The Fantastic War'. Portugal&Great Britain (Army: 14k. Casualties <1000) versus Spain&France (Army: 42k. Casualties <30K)
NXL7e TIL that 2024 is the 200th anniversary of the Egyptian Museum of Turin, Italy. It's older than both the modern Italian state (unified in 1861) and the Cairo Egyptian Museum (established in 1902)